Monday, December 28, 2009

Very good. Great? No, but it's very entertaining. In most ways, it's how I imagined it was going to be- a reinterpretation of the master detective as a bit of a swashbuckler, but with a funny, eccentric, and troubled soul.

There were a couple of instances of flash backs and flash forwards that were very nicely done, and everything is wrapped up in the end with a "Scooby-Doo" style explanation.

Three stars.

------------------

So I visited a Barnes & Nobles Bookstore yesterday before we saw the movie, and I'm happy to say that they were sold out of "Bent Objects". The fella said it had done well, because they had quite a few copies on hand. He was nice enough to invite me back to sign some copies when they get a new shipment. Believe it or not, I've found this to be an unusual attitude. "Why would that be?" you might ask. "Wouldn't an author signature be a motivating factor for the purchase of a book?" I wonder the same thing.

I've actually heard from several other authors who have had the same experience as I've had, and that's one of many booksellers acting like they are doing the author a favor by letting them sign their books. Why is this? The managers actually have to think a second or two before they give me a positive answer, and then not one thank you given. I'm at a loss on this. Wouldn't their customers feel like they're buying something a bit special if it were signed? Don't they want happy customers? I would understand if they asked to see my I.D., or I'd show them my photo on the book-jacket, but that doesn't seem to be the problem.

One of the last managers I spoke to basically shrugged his shoulders and said "hey, it's up to you". Really? Should I just go into a store and start signing away? Seems a strange thing to do. I'm not looking for people to kiss my ring when I make an offer to sign, but it would be cool if they said "Oh, that'd be great. Thanks."

Can anyone out there enlighten me on this? I'll let the other authors who've run up against this in on the secret too, so they can find out why they're treated like schmucks in some of these stores.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

I can't remember how I stumbled on Noah Scalin's Skull-A-Day blog a couple of years ago, but it immediately became my first stop on the internet every day, for a year. Well, slightly less than a year, because I didn't discover it until after he was already at it for several weeks. Just imagine, challenging yourself to pick an object and recreate it every day, in a different way for an entire year (the blog is still churning out neato skulls, but now mostly by fans).

I've since found other people doing a drawing a day, a sketch a day, whatever, but none inspired me, and excited me, like Noah's project where, from day to day, I had no idea what he would try (and succeed at) next. His project was so much more wide ranging, and a much larger challenge. A skull made out of an arrangement of human bodies? Check. Making a loaf of bread so that a skullwas visibleon individual slices? Check. Great, great stuff.

Now, I've never been particularly in love with the whole skull motif. In general, I think it can be a short-handed way for a not-so-good artist to try and add an edge to their work, an air of "cool" when there was none before. But that's not what Noah's blog and his present work is about. If you check it out, you'll see what I mean.

In full disclosure- I've been an internet friend of Noah for a couple of years now. We even did a collaboration during the run of his project. He's been kind enough to mention my book on his site, and I've mentioned his book here before. But this interview was motivated by me just wanting to honor and recognize an artist who has brought me so much entertainment, excitement, and intrigue over the years. He's one of those people who attacks things from a different angle.

drum roll... The Interview-

So, what's the deal with you and skulls?

I’ve always loved them! Seriously I just found a great drawing of a skull that I’d made at age 6/7 so I think that’s fairly good evidence. By the time I’d started Skull-A-Day I had a bunch of skulls decorating my house and my skin so they really are an integral part of my life. I’m also very committed to the idea of living each day as fully as possible so the classical idea of having skulls in your environment as “memento mori” makes sense to me.

How long into your project did it take before you asked yourself "What the heck have I gotten myself into?

About 10 days. That’s when I discovered that there were more than just my friends watching, but actually a large international audience was starting to pay attention. It also stressed me out that I was getting positive feedback so soon as it made me feel like I needed to maintain a certain level of quality, if not improve upon it constantly, which is damn near impossible to do on a daily project.

I'm sure time was an issue during that 365 days. Between thinking up ideas, creating them, photographing them, then blogging them (which can be a job in itself sometimes), what things did you have to give up during your project?I'm sure it was a lifestyle change to some extent.

Strangely I felt like I gained a lot more than I lost during that time! I was still working a full-time job, so somehow I managed to squeeze more and more out my day as it went along. After it was over, it was hard to imagine how I found the time every day. Oddly enough even though I had less time for some social activities, I was actually seeing some of my friends more often (and for longer periods of time), since they were helping me get things done. I guess what I really gave up was sleep, since I was getting up earlier and earlier to do more in the day (as I had committed to the fans of the site to be done by midnight each night)!

What was the most challenging skull that you created?

For sheer time and effort, the latch hook skull was especially tough. It wasn’t a particularly hard technique, but it was a complicated process to work out how to translate a preexisting image into something else and the labor is not really something one should attempt in a single day. It took me a total of nine hours to complete. Not only were my arm and hand cramping from the repetitive motion, but I developed a migraine part way through and had to take a nap to get rid of it before continuing. I think the end result was worth it, but I’ll never do latch hook again!

Which is the one you were happiest with?

That’s a really hard question. There are so many I like a lot and in many ways it was more about the overall experience than the individual pieces. That said, I find the Skullevision to be very satisfying. It makes any TV show interesting and is great to leave on at parties.

It was tastefully appointed, there were delicious fresh baked cookies, and a large screen TV where I could watch the show as it was taped. Quite pleasant.

Since she's been to prison, don't you think it would be cool if she showed her audience some ofthe shiv making skills that she learned in the big house?

Absolutely. And considering she’s had me and Snoop Dogg as guests I think anything goes at this point!

Did she make any unwanted advances? Any wanted advances? Did she ever say "It's a good thing?"

Ha, she was very nice and we had a lovely chat while we waited together between shots. She was very focused on the craft part though and continued working on her potato stamps even when the cameras weren’t on us.

Oddly that skull came out shortly after the project started, so even though it was not an influence on me it came up a lot at that time. I don’t really have a strong opinion about it either way. It’s pretty, but I’m not moved by it and I understand that the sheer ridiculousness of it offends a lot of people and turns them off to modern art, which I think is a shame. In many ways I hope that Skull-A-Day is the remedy for that.

Do you still wake up thinking about things that you can make a skull out of?

No, I think I’ve gotten it mostly out of my system. Though I do still find myself making skulls with very little provocation.

What's the latest project that you're excited about working on?

League of Space Pirates (http://www.spacepirate.org) is a multimedia science-fiction project that I’ve been developing for a long time and I’m finally finding the time to make some headway on it. I’m looking to release a full-length album as part of it in 2010, so I’ve been having a lot of fun spending time in a recording studio away from my computer.

Thanks to Noah, who put up with my silly questioning!

His book "Skulls" is a collection of many of the skulls that made up his year long Skull-A-Day project. I especially recommend it as a gift for that hard to buy for young person that you have trouble finding something for. It's available on-line of course, as well as most well-stocked book stores.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

------------------------------Yes, I have about 10 more Bent Objects books that I'll gladly sign and doodle, and still get to you by Christmas or Hanukkah. I think if I ship them Thursday by priority mail, they should get anywhere in the U.S. in good time (Canada, or other international, I'm afraid not). The cost is 45 dollars, and you can pay using my donate button on the sidebar. The paypal form has a place for info that you think I'll need. Thanks!

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

So I was a bit depressed when I posted this morning. Then I remembered something I read on Twitter last night when someone mentioned "Bent Objects". She tweeted about laughing while reading my book in the MOMA gift shop. The MOMA store might be selling my book? I made a cup of tea and looked at their website. Bummer. It wasn't listed. But I picked up the phone and called the store itself.

The sales clerk who answered said a quick, "We should", when I asked if they had the book Bent Objects. She put me on hold while she went to look. "Yes, we have a copy wrapped in plastic. Should I hold it for you?" My mood was the polar opposite of just 2 minutes before. I happily told her that I was the book's author, and that she had made my day by telling me that they stocked my book. She said that they've been recommending the book a lot, and a quick look at a computer screen showed her that they've sold 35 copies so far.(!)

I've been feeling pretty good ever since that call. We don't need anything nearly this big (it's big as far as I'm concerned) to go celebrate, so you can bet we're going out tonight to do something, somewhere. I know I shouldn't need validation for my work, but you know what? I do. I've said before that since my book is usually stocked in the "Humor" section of stores, there's always a part of me that wants it to be in the "Arts" section, even though it's probably served better to not be. The part of me that struggles to be an artist does feel validated. That part of my brain is very, very happy right now.

Somewhat related- Bent Objects: The Secret Life of Everyday Things was scheduled to be on the CBS program "The Early Show" this morning. So, I'm fairly excited. I call my mom and everything. Then my wife and I sit through 2 and a half hours of the show... Then when the "Gift Book Segment" of the show finally happens, the person talking about the books is Oprah's O Magazine editor! My wife and I look at each other and say "yes!" ... Then they run out of time before they get to my book.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Hey there, I'm speaking at the Indiana Author Fair December 5th, at, I believe, 2:30. I'm also there from 12 until 4 to autograph any books you want autographed. They don't even have to be mine. Heck, if there are any ladies out there who want their bodies autographed, come on by. My wife can't be totally vigilant the whole 4 hours.

-----------------------------Are you in part of the world, Singapore or Eastern Europe for instance, that makes it difficult to order the Bent Objects book? I can't vouch for them or anything, but I've heard from a couple of people who have used The Book Depository. They even claim free worldwide delivery.

-------------------------------

The winner of the limerick contest from last week? Very challenging to judge. The final three were a toss-up. I finally went with this one-espyle said...

In November, the turkey thought, "Damn,I don't want to be served with the yams."So he cooked pig for folksAs he told them great jokes,And he was spared for being such a ham.

If any of the other limerick contestants who entered would like one, I'd like to send you one of the holiday cards from me to you. Maybe even a worthless doodle in there also. Just send me your address.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Photographed with a decent point and shoot on tripod.Lighting- Under cabinet radio/cd player light, plus two flashlights.

I was hoping to get a shot done over the weekend. Even had everything ready to go, but it's the first in a very long time that will be photographed outside, and things didn't work out. Instead, here's an oldie that didn't make it into the book, pretty much because I couldn't find the original big file of it. That's never happened before, but no, I'm not the most organized guy you will ever come across.

I saw this photo on Reddit.com once, and all the comments were pretty entertaining. One person didn't believe that there was really a seasoning with that name, but I can assure you that there is.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

If you've ever wondered about what goes into a Bent Objects image, I go into some detail about the making of one of my latest.

People have wondered if I still have holiday cards. I've sold quite a few, but I had to order 2500 so that I could sell them for a reasonable price. So yes, still have probably half of them left. Here.

Monday, November 16, 2009

I recently had a request from the folks over at Neatorama to make my version of their Neatorama-bot (their mascot). This is what I came up with. I had it juggling some letters, but it looks a lot better without them.Neatorama is having a Bent Objects book giveaway starting today. Maybe you should give it a try?

Friday, November 13, 2009

Here's one of the cards available at Target stores now. Just a few Bent Object cards now, but there will be 4 or 5 more next year.Some people might think this is too cute, and doesn't have quite the same edge as most of my stuff. That may be true, but remember- she is serving herself up to be eaten as soon as the candle is blown out.

Tonight's the night I'll be at Big Hat Books in Broad Ripple, Indiana for a book signing. Lots to do there tonight besides me being there though. And some things are being done for a good cause-Tonight. Broad Ripple, Indiana.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

I made a few images for OXO International a while back, and I'm happy to say that they've asked me to do another. I'm thrilled that they picked the particular idea that I came up with. It'll make it here eventually on the blog, and it's gonna be pretty good, I think.

Here's a party invite image I made for them. A "Get ready to party" idea.

If there are any other peeps willing to commission a person who is wired a little weird, please get in touch. Our bank account could use an infusion, because we like brand name cereals (we're classy like that).

A couple more things-

Some people don't know that my book is hardback. I feel happy, and lucky, to say that it is. Still plenty of time to order 1, or 2, or 50 for holiday gifts.

And I guess this video was viral a few years ago, but that must have been before my time here on the internet. It's a video of a flash mob dancing to a Sound of Music song. Haven't seen it? It's cooler than it may sound, and it will make you happy.

Monday, November 02, 2009

Well, I did it. I had some Bent Objects holiday cards printed. I had just a few thousand made, so they will be unique.They were delivered to the house a few days ago, and the printer did a very nice job with them. They're A2 size ( 5.5'' x 4.25'').

They're multiple use, because they're blank on the inside, so they can be Thank You cards, Christmas or New Year's party invitations, or Happy Holiday cards. Versatile is good way to describe them, I think.

I also like blank cards so I can personalize them a bit with a "Happy Holidays!", Season's Greetings!", "Merry Christmas to our good friends ____", or "Happy New Year To _____!" You can have it say whatever you want without trying to think of something extra to write under an already printed saying. That's the trouble I have with cards anyway. Maybe you're more talented in this area.

Oh, and did I mention that the cards are 100% recycled? Yep. And the envelopes? Also 100% recycled. Try finding that in the big box store down the street.

I'll be shipping these priority mail, so they'll be at your home in no time. If you should be interested in buying some, the prices are as follows for the U.S. --

(edit-Sorry, had to raise shipping rates on some of these. I miscalculated.)

18 cards and envelopes for $17.95 + $5 shipping. ($22.95 total)

30 cards and envelopes for $24.95 + $8 shipping. ($32.95 total)

50 cards and envelopes for $38.95 + $8 shipping. ($46.95 total)

For Canada, the shipping is $9.For my international friends outside of North America, the shipping is $18 dollars.

You can pay using the donate button on the sidebar (there is a section there at Paypal for you to leave info for me). If you have any questions, email me at BentObjects@gmail.com.

--------------edit- Yes, I know there will be some peeps out there asking for Hanukkah cards ( and I have that one photo from last year), but I shot my budget on this one.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

I got this idea from my friends over at the d'ArteBoard. No it's not wire wrapped around objects, but this is my blog, so there. In the U.S., as long as I can remember, Saturday morning cartoons are something kids look forward to watching while they eat their sugary cereals.

Milton was a classic cartoon that I'd watch after I got home from school in the 70's. It's Halloween today, so it's a good fit. At least watch the opening song. It's awesome.

Our 12 year old and I both have gmail accounts, and she gets upset when she goes to check her email on our laptop, and I haven't signed out. The other day I received this email from her gmail address, but it wasn't from her, it was from Ted from gmail, or so he said.

(One more thing, I'm always telling her to delete some of her old messages, which are many, but she refuses.)

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Meanwhile, while I'm coming up with an idea involving leaves, several people have asked about signed copies of the book. I'll tell you the truth, trying to arrange appearances (speaking/book signing) is not something I have enjoyed. My talk/signing at The Indiana Historical Society December 5th will be it for now.

But I have another possibility for you-

I'm offering autographed copies that I'll gladly personalize,

with doodles (I don't draw, I doodle)

of all sorts for $40 + shipping.

U.S. shipping is $4, Canada and Mexico- $7, and everywhere else is $15.

I'm also still offering personalized, signed book plates for just $2 each total.

Use the "Donate" button on the sidebar to pay the $40 plus appropriate shipping.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Autumn Leaves? Sounds like the name of a heart-breaking starlet. It's also the object of my next Bent Objects image thanks to your votes. I'm going out to see what I can rake up now.

While I try to figure out what to do with leaves, read this review of my book and think of all the many people that you know who would love it as a gift. Kathy over at The Junk Drawer, was also nice enough to talk about it.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Hey, time to tell me what to use as an object in a Bent Objects photo. Leave an idea in the comment section. Sometime early Saturday morning (eastern standard time, U.S.), I'll pick my favorite 5 items for you to vote on.

What are you waiting for? You have about 12 hours.

Edit- Times up! No more comments. 31 comments are pretty good for a late Friday night. Thanks!

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

I made this fella up quite a while ago to show the people of American Greetings Card Company. He's definitely one of my smallest Bent Objects "people" yet, and he's lasted a long time off to the side of my photo table.

American Greetings is producing several cards with Bent Objects on them, to be sold exclusively by Target. I've seen a couple of them in the stores already, with some more to come next year. Pretty surreal seeing my stuff in there.

I'm really thankful for the reviews that I've gotten on the book so far. Feel free to tell all your friends. Of course, maybe you don't want to tell them, because you're planning on buying a copy to give them as a present? Yes, that sounds like a fantastic idea! Good thinking on your part! You are so awesome!

I'm giving a presentation, a bit like the one here, December 5th at the Indiana Historical Society, with loads of other authors. I'll be signing books for several hours, and I hope anyone in the area will stop by and say hi (it's free). I'm also on the lookout for other bookstores and such who would like me to do the same thing in their super cool establishments. Keep in mind, I'll be driving my old clunker, so distance can be an issue!

Monday, October 05, 2009

Well, here we are, very nearly 400 posts after this blog first appeared September 10, 2006. Today, I'll stop by a couple of bookstores to try and find copies of my book (and then put them on a table near the front door). Yes, today is the first day that it's officially in stores. Hard for me to believe. It's been a long process.

This photo of this pencil bug and paintbrush fly was part of my first post, long before the thought of a book crossed my mind, and even before I thought of using my kinda strange sense of humor.

If you have enjoyed my many attempts here over the last three years to add wire to objects, and end up with something interesting, I hope you'll take a look at the book. I'm very, very relieved to say that the early reviews from people who have already received the book in the mail have been very good.

So, I'll keep making things for you to enjoy here on the blog,

but I hope you all will help me out by visiting a bookstore and taking a look,

or ordering the book from one of the many links on my sidebar on the right.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

The Wall Street Journal blog "Speakeasy" called me for a short interview yesterday. Seems to be kind of a neat blog, and I'm only partly saying that because they have good taste in wire-plus-object arteests.

Monday, August 31, 2009

Know a website that would do Bent Objects some good with a possible review of the new book? My publisher has some copies it would like to send out for just that purpose. Feel free to leave your idea in the comment section or email me at BentObjects.blogspot.com .Thanks.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

No longer does a person have to be lucky enough to have a gallery show, or try to get feedback from a limited circle of friends in order to know if what is being created is connecting with an audience. We all want to connect with others somehow with what we create, and for me that's what Bent Objects has done, and I have the internet to thank for that.

Lately, I've become curious about other people who are creating work to post online, and have decided to do some interviews for my own selfish reasons.

Some of these people have work that you've seen floating around the web, and maybe some of them will be new to you. I'm no journalist, but I hope people might get something out of the following interview, and hopefully future ones too.

I picked Chris McVeigh as my first person to interview because I felt some kind of connection with his work. He's a graphic designer by trade, which I can tell by his design sense. He uses characters that are already made (Star Wars toys, and lego people), but then he puts them in situations that form a sort of narrative sometimes, or a gag other times, much like me. He also has added an incredibly unique element to his photographs- live characters in his shots in the form of wild chipmunks (!), that he has managed to tame to some extent.

Chris- All self-taught. Pretty much everything I do is self-taught, actually, from writing to illustrating to Adobe Photoshop. I glean bits of information here and there and just use that as a starting point for experimentation. I find it's the best way to learn, really; I'd much rather be actively sorting out how to do something in my head than reading about how to do it.

What are some of your influences? Cartoons? Movies? (Only I would ask what cartoons influenced a person. Geez.)

Well I think it's safe to say Star Wars is a main influence. It's odd, but it's only been in recent years where I've felt free to articulate my geekiness in any real capacity. It's just so accepted at the moment, so I'm reveling in it.

Is there something that triggered that change in you? What brought it on?

I think it's all about finding an audience or a group of people with whom you share interests. The first few Star Wars Chipmunk pics that I put together got a great response, and no one piped up and said "Oh, you're such a moron, why don't you just grow up?" That's the kind of response I would expect from some people in my social circle, and it's the kind of negative reinforcement that cause so many of us to abandon our interests just to fit in, or fulfill someone else's expectations of us. But I've outed myself now. I'm a geek, I love action figures and video games, and I don't care what anyone thinks anymore. And I'm not the only one who has stood up and declared my geekhood; there seems to be a major social movement towards that right now. No shame, not any more.

Where do you see this all going?

Honestly, I have no idea. I actually have a backlog of chipmunks photos and I'm pacing myself. I don't want people to get sick of them or lose an appreciation for the work that goes into each one. I am sure there are already some people out there who think "OMG its teh chipmunk guy agains!!?!"

After you've exhausted your chipmunk ideas, then it's back to shooting mainly just the figures themselves? (BTW, my faves of yours are Chewbacca from below, on his skateboard, and the Stormtrooper lying down watching the river go by)

I think so. This summer more than others, I feel a lot of pressure to take shots of the chipmunks while they're out and about. Once fall rolls around, I'll have more time to focus on whimsical action figure and Lego shots. (I actually have three such shots currently in production but haven't had time to shoot any of 'em.)

Has your photography and all that comes with it, has it changed your design sense at all?

I think so. It's certainly brought out a clear preference for minimalism. I usually try to construct images without too much chaos in the background. Now that might not be the truest definition of minimalism, but I definitely have a tendency to limit the amount of disparate items in my pictures in order to encourage focus.

Here's Chris with Frannie, one of his stars.

Thanks to Chris for humoring me with this. Make sure you check out his flickr page, and maybe even buy a print or t-shirt (I like this one, ha!).

Monday, August 10, 2009

You know those mornings after you've had a bit too much to drink? This is the reason you have a headache. It's the Hangover Fairy.

When you've killed brain cells, via alcohol poisoning, he pays you a visit and takes those away, kind of like the Grim Reaper of brain cells. In their place, he leaves you the gift of a hangover. Why must he do that? Because he's the Hangover Fairy, and he really likes his job.

I gave my Twitter people and Facebook people a sneak peak at him, and I'm happy to say that he was sold in 15 minutes on my Etsy. I'll try to do more of those. There has to be an occasional reason to be friends with me on those things.

Saturday, August 01, 2009

EDIT- I had a little poem telling this guy's story, but I decided to do without.---------------------------------------------------

I can't take any credit for the design of his "member". I got that (and most everything else probably) from Alexander Calder.

Also, I announced yesterday that my next goal for Bent Objects is to appear on Late Night with David Letterman. Is that a lot to ask? Heck yeah, but then again, it was a lot to ask for an agent and publisher, but that's just what I did on this blog a few years ago. You know what? It happened!

Some people might think I'm sort of crazy for laying this out there for all the world to see, but this is what I think-- If you don't tell people what you want, then why do you think you will ever get it? And yeah, I'm a bit crazy, but if you haven't noticed, this blog runs on crazy.

So Dave, call me. I'm in your hometown 317 area code.

One more thing - On Facebook? Vanessa of Quebec made this for me. Thanks Vanessa!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

I would have liked the poem to work a bit better, but it's getting late. Yeah, that's a good excuse.

We went shopping for school supplies today, and after we got what we came for, I bought a few things for Bent Objects. I bought this and a few other things that I have ideas for that I'll be posting then putting in my Etsy shop. Feel free to visit there and look around.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

I was thinking this morning that my ten year old self would be somewhat disappointed that I wasn't a millionaire by now. I'd respond that it's harder than it looks, and if he would have studied a little more who knows what would have happened! ha! A Facebook friend mentioned that his ten year old self wanted to be an astronaut, so "I guess they all get to be disappointed."

Terry the ten year old would definitely be surprised with some of the other goals that I have achieved, even if they haven't meant the great financial rewards he had hoped for. I've checked quite a few things off my list that I made a little later in life, with several more to go.

I also remember that I looked forward to buying a certain canned chocolate drink (Choc-Cola, I believe it was called) whenever I wantedto(!) when I grew up. I don't believe that brand exists anymore (besides, my treat drink taste buds have turned to iced coffees and beer these days) but sometimes I buy something that reminds me of that stuff, just because. Kind of like keeping a promise to the little person that I was, all those years ago.

Of course, feel free to comment about the thoughts of your little 10 year old self.

------------------Plus- This just in- I finally find out who has been filling the internets with good stuff. Chipmunks, legos, and Star Wars- Here. I've seen his stuff floating around a lot lately.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

I've made this image available in my Etsy Store, as well as several others, including what many people consider to be one of my best. That one and another are of questionable (if minty) taste, so consider yourself warned.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

-----------------------------------------Also-When we were planning our recent vacation, some people were kind enough to give recommendations for where to stay and what to see. I'm happy to say that I now have a recommendation for those of you who will be visiting Paris anytime soon- Le Bonbon au Palais Confiserie.

It's not a large place, maybe 15 by 22 feet inside, but it is filled with beautiful lidded glass containers of the best candies of France. There aren't any Snickers bars or gumballs to be found (although there is definitely a time and a place for those), this is the place to come and enjoy the most beautiful and classically French sweets that you will ever see.

We were given a tour of the shop by the owner, Georges. He was extremely friendly and helpful on giving us some insight on his collection. "I buy the best product of each region of France" he announced with enthusiasm. The freshest flavored marshmallows (I know that sounds strange, but you'll see), gorgeous candied pears, and square "jellies" that are infused with such a variety of flavors. If Willy Wonka sold candy instead of making it, this is the kind of magical place that I can imagine that happening. Just fantastic, that's all.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

The night before her wedding day, she had a dream that she was walking nude through Paris. She tried to act like nothing unusual was happening, but people noticed, and there was a person with a camera, taking her picture for his blog.

The postcard object is a reproduction of a painting belonging to the Tate Modern, London. Artist of "Honeymoon Nude" is John Currin,1998.

I didn't leave her on the streets in Paris. I'm taking her home with me.

edit-10 seconds after I posted this, I realized that I should have titled this post "Sticks and Stones". That's what I get for posting too early in the morning!

Yesterday we went to the Pompidou Museum to see a special exhibition that I've been really excited to see- "Calder, the Paris Years". It was really fantastic seeing so many of his wire pieces in person after reading about them in books.

Afterward, I made these walking stick/chopstick bugs and left them outside the museum. Sort of an offering I guess. I also gave a poster to the museum's bookstore. They had a wide variety of books, so you never know, maybe they'll use it somehow, someday.

We then walked along the Seine, where I dropped this character off. His head and body contain two stones that I picked up from the banks of the River Thames, as it flows through London.